Louis Theroux - The City Addicted to Crystal Meth

[Fourth Feline]

It was an intersting program, and it really showed a completely different lifestyle.  I'd like to think in the same situation I wouldn't fall into drug use, but you never know do you?

I got the impression a lot of the addicts were trying to escape depression or their poorer lifestyle though Crystal Meth.  But it's such an addactive drug it gets them into a worse position, which is really saddening  :(

Indeed :   the phenomena of 'self medicating' is all too common, if the individual(s) concerned do not seek an official intervention for a building mental health health issue, be it reactive or indigenous.  I have an old mate that used to work for Manchester Mental Health / Social services, and he confirmed that in addition to the above - there were people with genetically hard wired addictive personalities, who would then get sucked right into a lifestyle that originally may have begun due to self medicating.  Without taking any moral stance on the issue, he noted that some would get addicted to almost anything , whereas others could do a bit of what they fancied and leave it alone at will.  The phenomena embracing anything from coffee, sex, spending and of course B.K.P !

We do have free will however - and ( speaking as the partially dammed ) the first step to redemption / a healthier lifestyle - is still being willing to take total responsibility for one's life and actions, or accept that ( beyond pubescent experimentation and freedoms )  our every adult decision dictates our eventual fates.

[Twinfan]

There's an addict in all of us to some extent I think.  I can take or leave alcohol, and even though I dabbl;ed in cigarettes when I was younger I could take or leave them too.

GAS however  :roll:

[Fourth Feline]

There's an addict in all of us to some extent I think.  I can take or leave alcohol, and even though I dabbl;ed in cigarettes when I was younger I could take or leave them too.

GAS however  :roll:

I totally agree Dave ; life would be stark  if we only embraced the rational and self controlled. The freedom we more fortunate people have, is that we can play with our addictions - and not visa versa. ( Now where is that cafetierre ? so I can sit down and experiment with changing guitar string gauges yet again ! ) 

[Afghan Dave]

There's an addict in all of us to some extent I think. 

Sadly, I'm sure that is true for me... I'm slightly Obsessive Compulsive (an internally focused perfectionist) so I cannot gamble... NEVER.

That would start a spiral that could only ever end badly.

As for drugs, well I've tried some of em and been thoroughly unimpressed... Meh... I quit smoking without patches.. Can drink LOADS and often but then leave it for months.  :P

Gambling would ruin me though.... :(

[nfe]

Is Crystal Meth that addictive that one try and you're hooked? I'm not suggesting there are people on here that would be in the know (first hand at least). Just curious. I think trying it out of curiosity would be a very bad idea.

I'm not sure, but I do have a lot of friends who are heavy drug users (and I'm comfortable saying I am a semi regular user of various drugs) and bar one or two, it doesn't effect their life in any negative way, this includes herion users, incidentally. But EVERY crystal meth user I've met is stuffed. It does seem to be one that virtually nobody ever recovers from and they do shoot down that road extremely quickly.

I'll have a bash at most things, but never crystal meth. I'm staunchly in favour of the legalisation of all narcotics, but that one, that makes me doubt myself a bit.

[Plexi Ken]

We do have free will however...

If the Determinists are right, we don't  :P

On a serious note, I have a friend who is an alcoholic, his father is an alcoholic, his grandmother is an alcoholic. I often wonder what will become of his child. Hopefully this chain has an end.

[Fourth Feline]

We do have free will however...

If the Determinists are right, we don't  :P

On a serious note, I have a friend who is an alcoholic, his father is an alcoholic, his grandmother is an alcoholic. I often wonder what will become of his child. Hopefully this chain has an end.

I hope so too .  At least we do  live in more enlightened times, where ( hopefully ) there will be more awareness and 'safety netting' around the child.  One hopes that if percieved as a potentially genetic probability(  as well as a strong behavioural possibility )  that guidance and prevention ( or at least damage limitation ) might be be explored long before the need for crisis management. 

As you noted with your observation about the Determinists and other 'angles' on the plight of the individual , the human condition itself often remains our greatest mystery and most formidable challenge. 

As NFE noted, I have know a few users of various 'gear' - and in the right hands / minds, it seems to enhance and not destroy an otherwise enjoyable and productive life. I'm just another that found 'street' drugs a bit too coarse and un-pallatible. 

[Ian Price]

As NFE noted, I have know a few users of various 'gear' - and in the right hands / minds, it seems to enhance and not destroy an otherwise enjoyable and productive life. I'm just another that found 'street' drugs a bit too coarse and un-pallatible. 

Me too. Never really tried anything other than a bit of a smoke. Some of my old friends from school were in trouble with drugs from 13 onwards. They never really got out of that lifestyle, have spent time behind bars and not really moved on since school finished for them. At school they were always seen as the coolest people around - I think the reason they got into that lifestyle is because it seemed cool rather than it being a serious addiction. From there is developed.

I found quite a few parts of the programme last night pretty tough - the brother and sister, kenny and his kids (who I believe won't ever get a fair chance at a good life), the woman who went on a Meth bender on her wedding night. But the part I found toughest was the woman who was laughing hysterically whilst being arrested and then all of a sudden broke down in tears when Louis asked her why she did meth. Depressing indeed and a life style that must be very, very hard to break. I'm not sure what percentage of people break that addiction but imagine it is low.

I do like his programmes and can understand why it looks like an act but must say in that, too me anyway, he doesn't come across as superior or holier than thouh.

[Mr. Air]

Has anyone seen the program Louis did about the most hated familiy in the US? They are a small church with aprox. 75 members and they are VERY radical. I loved that show.

[Plexi Ken]

Aye, that was a good one,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Hated_Family_in_America
... but I like his stuff :)